Born and raised in Maywood, Illinois, Prine learned to play the guitar at age 14. He attended classes at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music. After serving in West Germany with the U.S. Army, he returned to Chicago in the late 1960s, where he worked as a mailman, writing and singing songs first as a hobby and then as a club performer.
A member of Chicago's folk revival, a laudatory review by critic Roger Ebert built Prine's popularity. Singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson heard Prine at Steve Goodman's insistence, and Kristofferson invited Prine to be his opening act, leading to Prine's eponymous debut album with Atlantic Records in 1971. The acclaim Prine earned from his first LP led to three more albums for Atlantic. He then recorded three albums with Asylum Records. In 1981, he co-founded Oh Boy Records, an independent label where he released most of his subsequent albums.
Widely cited as one of the most influential songwriters of his generation, Prine was known for humorous lyrics about love, life, and current events, as well as serious songs with social commentary and songs that recollect sometimes melancholy tales from his life.
Prine was the son of William Mason Prine, a tool-and-die maker, and Verna Valentine (Hamm), a homemaker, both originally from Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. He was born and raised in the Chicago suburb of Maywood. In summers, they would go back to visit family near Paradise, Kentucky. Prine started playing guitar at age 14, taught by his brother, David. He attended classes at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music, and graduated from Proviso East High School in Maywood, Illinois. He was a U.S. Postal Service mailman for five years and was drafted into the United States Army during the Vietnam War era, serving as a vehicle mechanic in West Germany before beginning his musical career in Chicago.
Prine is widely regarded as one of the most influential songwriters of his generation. He has been referred to as "the Mark Twain of songwriting".
Johnny Cash, in his autobiography Cash, wrote, "I don't listen to music much at the farm, unless I'm going into songwriting mode and looking for inspiration. Then I'll put on something by the writers I've admired and used for years—Rodney Crowell, John Prine, Guy Clark, and the late Steve Goodman are my Big Four ..."
Roger Waters, when asked by Word Magazine in 2008 if he heard Pink Floyd's influence in newer British bands such as Radiohead, replied, "I don't really listen to Radiohead. I listened to the albums and they just didn't move me in the way, say, John Prine does. His is just extraordinarily eloquent music—and he lives on that plane with Neil [Young] and [John] Lennon." He later named Prine as among the five most important songwriters.
Prine's influence is seen in the work of younger artists, whom he often mentored, including Jason Isbell, Amanda Shires, Brandi Carlile, Sturgill Simpson, Kacey Musgraves, Margo Price, Tyler Childers, and Robin Pecknold.
The last song Prine recorded before he died was "I Remember Everything", released on June 12, 2020, alongside a music video. It was released following the two-hour special tribute show, A Tribute Celebrating John Prine aired on June 11, 2020, which featured Sturgill Simpson, Vince Gill, Jason Isbell, Kacey Musgraves, Bonnie Raitt, Rita Wilson, Eric Church, Brandi Carlile and many other country artists and friends.[45] On the first night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, Prine singing "I Remember Everything" was the soundtrack to the COVID-19 memorial video.
Cold War
John Prine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Even another night of this cold war with you
Though you won't speak and I won't speak it's true
Two stubborn people with a cold war to go through
Oh why, oh why should love ever come
To a couple like you and me
Who's cold, cold wars are never done
So, let's do right
Or let's just say we're through
I just can't stand
Another cold, cold war with you
The sun goes down and leaves me sad and blue
Even another night of this cold war with you
Though you won't speak and I won't speak it's true
Two stubborn people with a cold war to go through
Oh why, oh why should love ever come
To a couple like you and me
Who's cold, cold wars are never done
And hearts just can't be free
So, let's do right
Or let's just say we're through
I just can't stand
Another cold, cold war with you
In "Cold War," John Prine sings of a broken relationship between two stubborn people who are constantly at war with each other. The title itself is a play on words, as the "cold war" has a double meaning. On one hand, it refers to the ongoing tension and conflict between the two people, which is reminiscent of the political standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. On the other hand, it also suggests that the passion and warmth has gone out of their relationship, leaving them in a chilly, loveless state.
Prine's lyrics convey a sense of resignation and melancholy. He acknowledges that their love is never going to be easy, and that their "cold, cold wars are never done." He suggests that they either need to work towards reconciliation or simply call it quits, as he cannot bear to continue living in such an antagonistic atmosphere. The repeated refrain "The sun goes down and leaves me sad and blue" reinforces the melancholy mood of the song, and captures the sense of emptiness and loneliness that comes with being stuck in a relationship that is going nowhere.
"Cold War" is a powerful and poignant song about the difficulties and complexities of love, and the toll that constant conflict can take on a relationship. Prine's vivid imagery, heartfelt lyrics, and haunting melody combine to create a truly unforgettable song.
Line by Line Meaning
The sun goes down and leaves me sad and blue
The end of the day reminds me of the sadness and loneliness I feel due to our strained relationship.
Even another night of this cold war with you
Every night feels like a battle with you as we refuse to speak and engage in a cold war.
Though you won't speak and I won't speak it's true
We both know that we are ignoring each other, even if we don't want to admit it.
Two stubborn people with a cold war to go through
Our stubbornness is keeping us from resolving our issues, and we continue to engage in this cold war.
Oh why, oh why should love ever come
Why did we ever let love enter our lives when we are clearly not good for each other?
To a couple like you and me
We are not the right match for each other, and our relationship is causing more harm than good.
Who's cold, cold wars are never done
Our disagreements and conflicts are constant and never seem to be resolved.
And hearts just can't be free
Our inability to resolve our issues is causing emotional distress and preventing us from truly being happy.
So, let's do right
We need to make things right and resolve our issues.
Or let's just say we're through
If we can't fix our relationship and continue to engage in this cold war, maybe it's best for us to end things.
I just can't stand
The emotional toll of this relationship is becoming too much for me to bear.
Another cold, cold war with you
I can no longer handle another night of the silent treatment and emotional tension in our relationship.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: FLOYD TILLMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind